Jimmy Lai instructed Apple Daily to find pro-independence writers while in custody, court hears

Jimmy Lai Chee-ying instructed now-defunct Apple Daily to find pro-independence writers to write for the paper’s editorials despite being in custody, according to former associate publisher Chan Pui-man.

Today (Tue) was the 12th day Chan testified at West Kowloon Court against her boss as the high-profile trial entered its 33rd day.

The prosecution displayed WhatsApp messages showing Chan asking if Taiwan-based Hong Kong commentator Eric Poon Tin-wai, also known as Sang Pu, had a regular column at the publication.

The messages also showed Chan saying that then-publisher Cheung Kim-hung told Chan that the boss [Lai] wanted Sang to write for Apple Daily and asked if the column page still had any room.

The prosecution also mentioned a staff meeting attended by Chan and Cheung in May 2021, citing an Apple Daily news article where Chan had said she would stay until the last moment despite rumors that the newspaper would face a clamp down.

“Working for Apple Daily is not just about being a journalist. It is more than just a job,” Chan was quoted.

Yet, Chan was unsure whether she made those remarks at the staff meeting or when being interviewed by reporters. She confirmed to judge Alex Lee Wan-tang it was possible that the quote was merged from both occasions.

Chan further responded to the prosecution saying that the newspaper had not faced any accusations of there being anything wrong with their news. The paper had changed some phrasing but the general direction hadn’t, Chan added.

The prosecution also showed messages where then editor-in-chief Ryan Law Wai-kwong said on April 17, 2021, that it was okay to use phases such as “castrated election” or “Wuhan virus”. Yet, the term “coronavirus” had to be used when citing official statements and documents.

Yet, to address colleagues’ concerns on not fitting with the new legal environment or breaching the law as warned by then Secretary for Security Chris Tang Ping-keung, Law and Cheung decided to abandon such phrases and unify the usage.

The trial continues this afternoon.